United States of America, Pattern Dollar, 1871, in silver, by W. Barber after J.B. Longacre, seated figure of Liberty left, 13 stars around margin and 22 stars on flag, rev. eagle standing rght, head turned to left, motto above, value below, edge plain, 26.15g/6h (Judd 1146 [R7, 4-12 struck]; Adams & Woodin 1122). Brilliant mint state, light blue-grey tone, very rare (£3,500-4,500)

James Barton Longacre (1794-1869) a portrait engraver from Philadelphia, joined the US Mint in 1845, where he worked continuously until his death on 1 January 1869. In the late 1860s he prepared a number of designs for pattern coins, including a spectacular dollar based on his ‘Indian princess’ classical head of 1854, employed on the gold 3 dollar pieces. Dies for these patterns were produced by the London-born engraver William Barber (1807-79), Longacre’s assistant, who succeeded him in office.

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